Container carrier device



y 7, 1970 E. R. CUNNINGHAM 3,519,126

CONTAINER CARRIER DEVICE E.

Filed July 31, 1968 55 55 J W 2 7 ml 1624/2725 M 45 33w 3 /dw United States Patent 3,519,126 CONTAINER CARRIER DEVICE Ernest Ray Cunningham, Libertyville, Ill., assignor to Illinois Tool Works Inc, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 31, 1968, Ser. No. 749,210 Int. Cl. B65d 7/00 U.S. Cl. 206-65 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to carrier devices and more particularly to devices for carrying containers such as beverage or the like bottles.

A great number of beverage container carriers are available for usejtoday, and for the most part are satisfactory for carrying containers. However, it is a primary object of the present invention-to provide a new and im proved container or bottle carrier device which is simple in'construction and inexpensive to produce.

It is anotherobject of this invention to provide a onepiece-carrier device constructed of foldable sheet material whichis adapted for easy application to a plurality of bottles and is constructed for separating the bottles from each other so as to minimize any possibility of breakage.

Briefly, a container carrier device according to the invention is of a one-piece sheet material construction and includes a center ring member for gripping, near a first end, a-plurality of containers thereby to secure the containers in a group or pack, first and second similar panels, each of which extends from an opposite side of the ring member and includes pocket means and end support means for engagement with the side walls and bases, respectively, of the containers to be held in the carrier, and handle means for carrying the container carrier device.

I A better understanding of the present invention and its organization and construction may be had by referring to the description below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier device according to the invention, as seen from a first side thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrier device of FIG. 1 as seen from the opposite side thereof;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the carrier device of FIG. 2, taken along the line 33 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the carrier device of FIG. 2, shown being assembled about a group of bottles according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an end view of a completed carrier package formed with a carrier'device according to the invention;

FIG. 6 isa cross-sectional view of the carrier package of FIG. 5, taken along the line 6-6 thereof; and.

, FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a carrier device according to the invention.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof show a preferred embodiment of a container carrier 10 according to the invention.

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The carrier 10 is formed from a single sheet 12 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1) of relatively tough flexible material such as plastic or the like which is sufiiciently stiff or self-supporting to enable it to be shaped or preformed in the manner described below. The carrier is stamped and formed from sheet 12 in a single step, automatically, thus making it possible to produce a great quantity of carriers 10 in a short period of time.

The carrier 10 includes a center, rectangularly shaped ring member 14 having a pair of shorter side strips 16 and 18 and a pair of longer side strips 20 and 22 interconnecting the first-mentioned strips, to form a margin thereof extending about a center rectangularly shaped aperture 24. Connected to each of the outer edges 26 and 28, respectively, of strips 20 and 22, and extending longitudinally outwardly therefrom, respectively, is a side panel designated by the numeral 30. The side panels 30 are similar in structure, thus the following description is directed to both of the panels.

Each side panel 30 includes a first section 32 formed into a plurality of interconnected pockets 34. The pockets 34 are generally semi-cylindrical in shape to accommodate the cylindrical body of a container to be received therein, and each is connected to an adjacent pocket along a longitudinally extending edge 36 which projects between and separates adjacent containers from each other. If the containers were of a different shape, the pockets would be shaped complementarily thereto, so as to accommodate the containers.

The pockets may be formed by vacuum molding or any other desired technique simultaneously with the formation of the remainder of the carrier 10. Each of the pockets is connected along one end or perimeter 38, at the center 40 thereof to a strip 20 or 22, respectively, and is connected at the other end or perimeter 42 at the center 44 thereof to a circular base member 46 of a base support section 48 of side panel 30. One base member is provided and is associated with each pocket. The construction of thepockets 34 can be seen clearly in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The pockets open outwardly from one surface of the carrier and are interconnected at longitudinally extending edges 36 for rigidity and to provide adequate protection to containers when the latter are received in the pockets. Sections 48 of the carrier 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 each comprises a row of three interconnected base members 46. Each base member is fiat or planar and circular in shape with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the base of a container supported thereby. The base members are connected at the perimeters, both to each other and to an adjacent pocket 34.

Connected to each of the perimeters of a circular base member 46 at a point 50 along the edge thereof, degrees about the circular base member from the point of connection to a corresponding pocket, is an elongated separator strip 52. Each of the strips 52, as will be explained hereinafter, serves as a separating member between certain ones of the containers mounted adjacent each other in an assembled carrier package. A handle 54 is connected to each of the elongated strips at the ends 56 thereof opposite the points of connection to the base members 46, and provides a means whereby an assembled container package, including a plurality of containers, may be transported. Each handle has a truncated triangular shape with the truncated portion thereof extending longitudinally outwardly of the carrier.

A center aperture 58 is provided therein for permitting gripping of the handle when transporting the carrier 10.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown therein the manner in which a carrier, such as carrier 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, is assembled about a plurality of containers, namely bottles such as 60. To begin, the carrier is oriented to a position as shown in FIG. 2 with the pockets opening downwardly. The bottles are arranged in two adjacent rows of three for the particular carrier shown, to form a carrier package of six bottles, commonly referred to as a six pack. The group 62 of bottles 60 as shown in FIG. 4 is seen from an end thereof. The assembling of the carrier to the group of bottles begins with the center ring member 14 being fitted about the outer periphery of the group, the bottles being received in the aperture 24 therein. The ring member is dimensioned so as to receive the group of bottles with the bottles held relatively tightly against the marginal strips 16, 18, 20 and 22 thereof with a space 63 extending between the two rows of three bottles of the group.

Once the ring member 14 is fitted about the bottles as described, each of the sections 32 of panels 30 including the interconnected pockets 34, is folded downwardly as indicated by arrows 64 along the respective interconnecting edges 26 and 28 thereof so that each pocket 34 receives therein a side wall portion 66 of a bottle 60. The right side panel 30, as shown in FIG. 4, is folded in a clockwise direction about the group of bottles "and the left side panel 30 is folded in a counterclockwise direction about the bottle group.

Subsequent to the bottles 60 being fitted into respective pockets, each section 48 of the side panels 30 is further folded about the points of connection 44 to corresponding pockets 34. The individual base members 46 contact the bases of corresponding bottles 60. As mentioned above, a base member 46 is shaped and dimensioned substantially like the base 69 of a bottle with which it comes in contact. In this case the base members are circular.

As the respective base members 46 of section 48 are being moved into container underlying position, the free ends 68 of handles 54 are fitted into space 63 provided between the rows of bottles. The handles 54 are pulled upwardly toward the necked ends of bottles 60' through space 63 until the base members 46 are in engagement with the bases 69 of the bottles. Once the handles are fed through space 63, the strips 52 assume a position abutting inner side wall portions of adjacent bottles 60 of the two rows, and extend longitudinally therealong, thereby to cushion the bottles from each other, and to protect them from breakage due to contact therebetween.

A completed bottle carrier package 70 is shown in FIG. and includes a carrier assembled about the group of bottles 62, according to the invention. As can be seen, the bottles are retained in carrier 10 individually by the pockets 34 and are separated and insulated from each other by the pockets and by the strips 52. The bottles are completely encircled and held as a :group in the carrier by ring member 14 to minimize individual movement thereof within the carrier. The cushioning between the rows of bottles 60 by means of strips 52 can be seen clearly in FIG. 6 wherein a two-strip layer of mate rial is shown between adjacent bottles to prevent contact therebetween. Furthermore, the contour fit of the pockets 34 about corresponding bottles 60 is evident in the figure.

Turning now to a description of another carrier embodiment according to the invention shown in FIG. 7, wherein like numerals are used, with the addition of the sufiix a to indicate similar parts, the carrier 10a is likewise formed from a single sheet of plastic or the like material. The carrier 10a includes a central ring member 14a and a pair of side panels 30a, each comprising a first section 32a having a plurality of interconnected pockets 34a and a second section 48a connected to section 32a and including a plurality of circular-shaped, interconnected base members 46a. In place of support strips 52 of carrier 10, there is provided a section 80 connected to section 48a and including a second plurality of interconnected pockets 82. These pockets, like pockets 34a,

also are shaped to fit about the side wall portions of containers such as bottles 60 of FIGS. 4-6. Pockets fit about the inner side wall portions of the containers, opposite from pockets 34a, both to protect the containers from each other, as in the case of strips 5-2, and further to support the containers along corresponding side portions thereof.

Handles 84, similar to those shown with carrier 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, are connected to section 80 of the carrier 10a and serve a like purpose. The handles 84, however, include three connecting strips, each designated 86, which interconnect a common strip 88 at one end and individual ones of the half pockets 80 at the other end.

The carrier 10a is assembled about a group of bottles and containers in a manner similar to that discussed above in regard to carrier 10. Thus, no details of such an assembly will be discussed further.

The carrier embodiments according to the invention have been shown and described as being for use primarily with bottles, however, the use thereof is not limited thereto, for a carrier according to the invention may be used equally as well with other types of containers, such as, for example, cans, etc.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, since many modifications may be made. It is therefore contemplated to cover by the present application any and all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A carrier package including a plurality of containers having predeterminedly shaped bodies arranged in a pair of adjacent rows and a one-piece sheet material carrier device assembled about said plurality of containers to facilitate transporting said containers as a group, said carrier device including a continuous central ring member encircling said plurality of containers toward a first end and about the outer periphery thereof, a pair of panels extending outwardly from opposite sides of said ring member and each comprising, a first section including a plurality of interconnected preformed pockets each having a shape complementary to one of said container bodies receiving individual ones of said container bodies therein and extending along the outer side wall portions of re spective rows of said containers, each of said pockets having an upper edge connected along only a short portion thereof to said ring member for restraining lateral move ment of the containers in each row relative to each other, a second section extending from said pockets and including means engaging second ends of the containers of a corresponding row, each of said pockets having a lower edge connected along only a short portion thereof to said second section, a third section connected to said second section including separator means interposed between said rows of containers for separating adjacent ones of said containers, and handle means connected to said third section for carrying said carrier package.

2. A carrier package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said separator means of said third section comprises individual strips extending along an inner side portion of respective ones of said containers longitudinally thereof, to minimize contact between containers of said adjacent rows. I

3. A carrier package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said containers comprise bottles having generally cylindrically shaped bodies and circular bases, wherein said pockets of said first section of each of said panels are of generally semi-cylindrical shape for receiving therein first side Wall portions of the bodies of said bottles, and wherein said means of each of said second sections includes a plurality of interconnected, circular base members having a di ameter approximately equal to the diameter of the circular bases of said bottles and being aligned and in abutting engagement therewith.

4. A carrier package as claimed in claim 3 wherein said separating means of each of said third sections comprises a plurality of generally semi-cylindrical preformed pockets in opposing relation with respect to the pockets of re spective ones of said first sections, for receiving therein opposite side wall portions of the bodies of said bottles.

5. A carrier package as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pockets are interconnected along longitudinally ex tending edges thereof to provide rigidity thereto, said edges extending between and separating adjacent bottles from each other.

6. A carrier device for supporting a predeterminedly arranged group of containers, such as bottles or the like, formed from a single sheet of material, including a center ring member for receiving said group of containers therein so as to encircle the latter near a first end thereof, and a pair of side panels, a first one thereof connected to a first side of said ring member and a second one thereof connected to a second, opposite side of said ring member, each of said side panels being foldable at predetermined locations therealong for assembling about said group of containers, and each including a first section located adjacent a respective side of said ring member and comprising a plurality of interconnected preformed pockets each having a shape complementary to that of a container to be accommodated thereby for receipt of the latter therein, a second section connected to said first section comprising a plurality of interconnected base support members, one associated with each of said pockets for supporting a certain one of said group of containers, and means connected to said second section at the side thereof opposite said first section and being positionable between certain adjacent ones of said containers of said group to minimize contact between said containers, and handle means connected to said last-mentioned means for transporting said carrier including said group of containers.

7. A carrier device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means positionable between certain adjacent ones of said containers includes a plurality of elongated strip members, each of which is connected between one of said base support members of said second section and said handle means.

8. A carrier device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means positionable between said certain adjacent ones of said containers includes a second plurality of interconnected pockets, each having a shape complementary to that of a container of said group for receipt of said container therein, said last-mentioned pockets being positionable in opposing relation to the first-mentioned pockets of a corresponding one of said first sections, thereby to provide support to said containers from opposite sides thereof.

9. A carrier device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said carrier device is for the accommodation of bottles, each having a cylindrical body, wherein said pockets are generally semi-cylindrical for receipt therein of first side wall portions of said bottles and wherein said base supports are circular, having a diameter similar to that of the bases of said bottles.

10. A carrier package comprising a group of bottles arranged in first and second adjacent rows with a predetermined number of bottles in each row and a carrier device assembled about said group of bottles to facilitate transporting the latter, said carrier device being formed from a single sheet of tough, self-supporting, plastic material and including a central rectangular ring member, said ring member including four interconnected strips of plastic material fitted snugly about the outer periphery of said group of bottles near the top end thereof, first and second panels extending outwardly from said ring member on opposite sides thereof, each of said panels including a first panel section extending downwardly along the outer side portions of a corresponding one of said rows of bottles and including a number of pockets equal to the number of bottles in said row, each of said pockets being complementary in shape to and dimensioned to receive therein an outer side wall portion of one of said bottles, a second panel section extending along the bases of said bottles of a corresponding one of said rows and including a corresponding number of interconnected base members each being dimensioned to engage the base of a corresponding bottle, separator means connected to said second section and extending between said first and second rows of bottles to minimize contact between the latter, and a handle member connected to said separator means and extending upwardly beyond the top ends of said bottles for transporting said carrier package.

11. A carrier package as claimed in claim 10 wherein said bottles are cylindrically shaped with circular bases, and wherein each of said pockets is generally semi-cylindrical, thereby to receive one of said bottles therein.

12. A carrier package as claimed in claim 10 wherein said separator means includes a plurality of elongated strips, each extending between a pair of adjacent bottles located in separate ones of said two adjacent rows, each of said strip-s extending along an inner side wall portion of one of said bottles in a direction parallel to the central axis thereof.

13. A carrier package as claimed in claim 10 wherein said separator means includes a number of pockets equal to the number of said bottles in a corresponding row, and each having a shape complementary to that of one of said bottles, each of said last-mentioned pockets receiving an inner side wall portion of a corresponding bottle therein, and being in opposing relation to one of the first mentioned pockets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,806,630 9/1957 Irwin 220 2,961,123 11/1960 Boydak et al. 220-415 x 3,285,468 11/1966 Troth 220 11s DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner U.S. c1. X.R. 220 11s 

